The never-ending injury curse at the Gold Coast SUNS has forced another raft of changes at the selection table this week ahead of Saturday’s twilight fixture against Essendon at Metricon Stadium.
Rodney Eade has made five changes, including three forced, from the side that was comprehensively beaten by Richmond by 83 points last weekend, with key defender Rory Thompson and ruckman Zac Smith headlining the inclusions.
Experienced utility Danny Stanley also returns to the senior side, along with Sean Lemmens and Henry Schade. But the exclusions are costly, with Charlie Dixon (ankle), Tom Nicholls (knee), Jarrod Harbrow (ankle) all unavailable due to injury, whilst Clay Cameron and Andrew Boston have been omitted.
Thompson and Schade return to bolster Gold Coast’s defence, which despite the best efforts of key defender Steven May, were badly beaten by Richmond last Sunday at the MCG. Despite Essendon’s poor form of late, they still boast a dangerous tall forward setup consisting of Joe Daniher, Cale Hooker and Jake Carlisle.
Injuries have interrupted Thompson’s season on a number of occasions this year, but his return is timely given the size of the Bombers forward weaponry.
“His form’s been a bit patchy. He hasn’t had a real run at it – he’s had probably three different injuries this year which has been unfortunate for him,” Eade told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s going to be a big ask for him first up, but with his experience and his height he’s going to be a good inclusion for us.”
After overcoming a medial ligament injury that forced him to miss six weeks, Stanley returns for the first time since round 11. The 27-year-old has spent the last three weeks in the reserves where he has been in dominant form in the midfield, averaging 31.7 possessions a game, including a haul of 37 last Friday.
“He’ll play a bit of everywhere again. With our midfield that’s been decimated (by injury), having said that the guys that have played in there have done really well for us which is pleasing,” Eade said.
“He’ll be giving them some added experience in there – a bigger body at the stoppages. He’s a natural forward so he’ll be able to play there as well because his marking’s quite strong. ”
With Nicholls suffering an injury to the capsule in his knee that all but draws a close to his campaign, Smith returns for his ninth senior appearance of 2015.
“Obviously with Tom Nicholls out, Zac Smith will take his spot. Zac’s forms been really good to be honest in the seconds. His attitude’s been terrific,” Eade said.
“We’ve tried a few times this year, but we’ve struggled to take two rucks in (to games), but he’s a great replacement.”
Round 21 AFL Premiership Team
B: A. Saad, R. Thompson, H. Schade
HB: N. Malceski, S. May, K. Kolodjashnij
C: L. Russell, M. Rischitelli, M. Shaw
HF: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, B. Matera
F: J. Hall, S. Day, J. Garlett
R: Z. Smith, J. Lonergan, T. Miller
Interchange: J. Martin, D. Stanley, A. Hall, S. Lemmens
Emergencies: C. Cameron, A. Raines, J. Glenn
IN: D. Stanley, Z. Smith, R. Thompson, S. Lemmens, H. Schade
OUT: J. Harbrow (knee), C. Dixon (ankle), T. Nicholls (knee), C. Cameron (omitted) A. Boston (omitted)
